Islamic Business (Part 1) | A First Hand Experience In Running A Business

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

A PAGE FROM THE LIFE OF HAZRAT MAULANA YUNUS PATEL SAHEB (RAHMATULLAHI ‘ALAYH)

IT WAS AROUND 1971, when my late father-in-law went for Hajj. He was away for four months. In that time I managed his business. Although I had absolutely no experience about business, with the Fadhl (grace) of Allah Ta’ala, I ran the business, during those four months, in a manner that not only benefited my father-in-law, but which became an example for the people of the town also. Alhamdulillah.

The daily routine that was adopted, the set up in the business and the manner of interaction with customers is being outlined and shared, as a lesson. Insha-Allah, that experience will be a means of people, especially businessmen, channelling their efforts towards prioritising Deen over Dunya and giving preference to earning the Aakhirah (Hereafter) over the chase for money and material commodities. The love for Dunya and attaching one’s heart to it inevitably brings destruction to a person’s Deen. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam said: “Two hungry wolves let loose on a flock of sheep cannot cause as much destruction to the flock as the damage that one’s greed for wealth and fame can inflict upon one’s Deen.”

The timetable, whilst running the business, was as follows:

After the Fajr Salaah it was my practice to recite Yaseen Shareef and other Azkaar. Thereafter I would proceed to the shop. I used to open the shop at around 8:30 a.m.

BUSINESS AND SALAAH

There is no doubt that during business hours, there is a demand for hard work. You have to buy, sell and keep up with everything else related to the business. You cannot just let things be and expect a business to prosper. For those few hours, you have to make the effort and work hard. However, if the Zuhr Azaan was at 1 p.m., then from 12:30 p.m.we started arranging for the customers to leave the shop, so that by 12:45 or 12:50 the last customers could leave and we could be in the Masjid before the Azaan. Alhamdulillah, the same procedure was adopted for Asr Salaah.

After the Zuhr Salaah, I would go home for lunch, and then return to the shop to continue with business.

On a Friday, I used to travel from Richmond to Pietermaritzburg or Ixopo (approx. 50km) for Jumu’ah. The shop remained closed until my return. Alhamdulillah, this is how we managed and operated the business in those months.

On Saturdays, it was extremely busy in that small town. All the buses and cars, transporting hundreds of people, would stop just outside the shops. The people would just go on buying and buying.  Because of my routine with regard to closing for Zuhr Salaah, some of the town’s people commented: “Now we will see what happens. All the shops remain open during Zuhr time on Saturdays – not one closes in this busy time.”

However, I kept up to my routine. I finished off between 12:30 p.m. and 12:45 p.m. and went to the Masjid. Alhamdulillah, when I came back from Salaah, the customers were there, waiting. Alhamdulillah, this set an example for others to also close for Zuhr on a busy day as well.

I have mentioned previously that the non-Muslims also run businesses – and big businesses. They have clear notices at their entrances detailing their business hours and times for the entire week, such as Monday to Friday, Saturday, Sunday, public holidays, etc. Anyone who wants to purchase anything from these stores knows and understands that they will have to get there in those hours only. The customers work around their own activities and responsibilities, and they get there in time, to buy whatever they want to. So … why can we not have our Salaah times also detailed on our notices? Why can we not close for Salaah? Why do we distrust the promise of Allah Ta’ala? If someone wants to purchase something, he will know the hours of business and will come in those hours. This personal experience that I am relating to you proves this.

BUSINESS AND CUSTOMERS

As for the items that were being sold; if there was something in the shop, which in my opinion was not proper to sell, I gave it away or sold it under the cost price. If it was more doubtful than Halaal, then I just gave it away. There were customers who would buy bread, milk, sugar, and other necessities. Some of them were extremely poor. They would tell me what they wanted. However, when they opened their purses, I could see that they did not have enough money. They used to count the coins they had and sometimes they would have to leave out some items due to insufficient money. It was obvious that the person was a very poor person. One could clearly see their poverty. Some would also mention their plight: they were struggling to make ends meet, they had no job and had three or four children to take care of, etc. Their destitution and need was evident. …In this way, I got to know about their lives and the hardships some of them faced. 

So I would ask: “How much do you have?”

If the person had R10 – and in that time R10 was a lot of money – I would then look at the total cost for the groceries that had been taken. If it was, for example, R12, I would say: “Take the whole thing and keep your R10 too.”

Upon hearing this, often that old lady or old man would actually start jumping around to express their happiness and appreciation. They would then go and bring more customers and come again. Obviously the situation nowadays is different. I am not saying that you should just give away everything to everyone. What will be left of the business? However, there are still many genuinely poor people. As Muslims, we should show mercy, compassion and leniency towards them. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam gave Dua to such a person: “May Allah have mercy on a man who is lenient when selling, buying, and seeking repayment.”

When my father-in-law returned, the neighbour said to him: “Your son-in-law must have run you bankrupt because the shop was more closed than opened!”

I told my father-in-law: “Don’t worry. Have a rest first, for two or three days.”

When I gave him the books and the money, there was a 25% to 30% increase in business. He even asked in surprise:“How did that happen?” 

Alhamdulillah, at least I can say from the Mimbar that it is not just something theoretical. It is something that was practical and it was experienced while being ‘hands-on’ in running a business. People say: “What do the Aalims know about business! They always talk theory. Do this, do that, don’t do this, don’t do that…” Here was a 30% increase in business, in lesser time, and with the Salaah performed on time in the Masjid. Alhamdulillah, there was no lying, no stealing, no cheating and no deceiving anybody. …The staff used to repeatedly say: “We wish you stay in this business full time.”

Alhamdulillah, I make Shukr to Allah Ta’ala for these incidents – since it offered some inspiration and incentive to the businessmen there.

May Allah Ta’ala grant us all the Taufeeq of doing business in a manner which is most pleasing to Him, and which will be a means of great reward and goodness in this world and the hereafter.

Taking Zakaah beyond Ramadaan

By Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel (Rahmatullahi Alayh)

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

ALHAMDULILLAH, WE FIND that with the commencement of Ramadaan, thousands of Muslims begin to contribute to different noble causes – whether these are specific for Ramadaan, such as providing Iftaar, Sehri or hampers for the poor, or whether in respect to the general efforts made to alleviate the plight of those who are suffering in different parts of the world. …So monies begin to pour in by way of Zakaah, Sadaqah and Lillah – Alhamdulillah. May Allah Ta’ala accept the different contributions.

  

There is, however, one shortfall when it comes to the payment of Zakaah, and that is, that the majority choose to give their Zakaah in the month of Ramadaan, thinking that they are getting a greater reward giving in Ramadaan, whereas for many, their Zakaah was sometimes due months before. This deliberate delay in payment of Zakaah makes the person a faasiq (an open transgressor). …Even though one is paying later and that too, in the blessed month of Ramadaan, one reaches Ramadaan and one enters Ramadaan, as a sinner. Allah Ta’ala save us and forgive us.

The setback to this pattern and tendency is that we have an overwhelming amount of Zakaah and charity paid out in the month of Ramadaan. And since Zakaah is something which needs to be distributed and discharged  as soon as possible, we find that for the next 11 months, many organisations do not have such funds to continue their assistance to the poor and needy – because of the imbalance created.

If everyone paid his or her Zakaah timeously, when it is due – whether Muharram, Safar, Rabiul Awwal, Rajab, instead of all being given out in the month of Ramadaan – then some equilibrium would be established in the discharge of Zakaah and in the assistance rendered to the poor and needy for the remaining year.

Moreover, this payment of Zakaah in its correct time, should not thereafter make the giver negligent in spending in other avenues at other times. We should increase our generosity in the month of Ramadaan and also spend whenever and wherever there may be a call for assistance – and that spending should be from our wealth. …Because Zakaah is not our wealth. It does not belong to us, that we can keep and use as we wish. It rightfully belongs to the poor. It is their wealth. So we should be giving from our own wealth, over and above the Zakaah.

Furthermore, when giving Zakaah or Sadaqah, then it is very important to keep in mind, the dignity of the recipient and to give with respect and consideration.

Many people consider that they are doing a favour to the poor and needy when giving charity, and they do so in a manner which demeans and debases the poor and needy.

Let us understand this point: We are in need of them. The reality is that we are the needy ones, for if there were no poor, needy and destitute people in the world, to whom would we give our Zakaah and discharge that due? To whom would we give our Sadaqaat and draw rewards?

Moreover, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi waSallam) described the poor as ‘very rich people’ and directed us to keep contact with them and spend on them because on the Day of Judgment they will be told to lead every such person who favoured them, into Jannah.

Other Ahaadeeth describe how, in the Hereafter, the poor will be the ones who will come to the assistance of those who did them a good turn in the worldly life. The poor will thus become the means of najaat (salvation) for many who may have been very wealthy in this worldly life. They may even be the ones who will hold our hands and take us with them into Jannah.

Thus, we need to be conscious and mindful of the dignity and self-respect of the poor. They too have a right to respect.

May Allah Ta’ala grant us this understanding, grant us the Taufeeq to practice accordingly, grant us sincerity in our spending and accept our Zakaah, Sadaqaat and other humble efforts to please Him.

Dua at the approach of Ramadhaan

Bismihi Ta'ala

Alternatives

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

by Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (Rahmatullahi 'alayh) 

AS HUMAN BEINGS, WE KEEP OURSELVES OCCUPIED in something or the other. Our work or whatever activity we are involved in is either good or bad.

If it is bad, then it has to be given up. Sins must be given up. Sometimes a person wants to give up his sins, but complains that he will then have nothing to do. The solution is to replace the bad with the good. He has to have some alternative or substitute – to take the place of sin. But this substitute must be beneficial and virtuous. It must not be futile and useless.

There was an incident of a thief, who used to steal the shoes of the Musallees whilst they were engaged in Salaah, in the Masjid. Allah Ta’ala destined Hidayah (guidance) for him and subsequently he met a pious Shaykh, a Wali of Allah Ta’ala. The thief made sincere Taubah from his sins and even took Bay’ah (pledge of allegiance) at the hand of the Wali.

Although he quit his habit of stealing completely, the habit to still do something had become ingrained and strong in him. Instead of stealing, he would merely mix up the shoes of the Musallees.

Naturally, this angered the Musallees, since it inconvenienced them and delayed their work. On investigation, they found out who was responsible and informed the Shaykh.

The Shaykh, after meeting with the Mureed, who had repented from stealing, questioned him regarding his strange behavior and his causing difficulty to others. The person very honestly told his Shaykh that he had sincerely repented from the sin of stealing but he just had to do something, so he mixed the shoes every time the Musallees came to the Masjid for Salaah. …After a few days, with the Fadhl of Allah Ta’ala and the Duas of the Shaykh, he got out of that habit as well.

If a person does not occupy himself, then as we know: “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop!” Do not let shaytaan enjoy rent-free accommodation in your mind! Do not allow shaytaan any access into your heart!

If a person does not keep himself occupied in good deeds, he is likely to get occupied in bad deeds.

Prior to accepting Islam, during the days of Jahiliyyah (ignorance), the Sahaba-e-Kiraam رَضِىَ الله عَنْهُمْ were involved in all kinds of sinful actions – wine, women, war, singing girls and other Haraam was the order of the day. However, on entering the fold of Islam, all of these vices were replaced with virtues. For example: Music, singing girls and other Haraam entertainment were replaced with the beautiful, enjoyable recitation of the Qur’aan Shareef, Tahajjud Salaah and spending the night communicating with their Beloved Allah Ta’ala. Jihaad was no longer against just anyone and everyone; it was against the nafs, primarily.

In practising on the teachings of Islam and following the noble Sunnah, there is no scope for boredom. The person who tastes the sweetness of Qur’aan Shareef, Zikrullah, Durood Shareef, Dua and Salaah will never be bored.

We take the lesson that sins should be replaced with good and rewarding alternatives, or permissible and lawful substitutes.

Alhamdulillah, in our times, there is so much to keep occupied with. Our ‘Ulama-e-Haq and Mashaa`ikh have many programmes, which, if we attend, we can maintain our Istiqaamah (steadfastness) on Deen. In fact, we should attend these programmes regularly. It will be a means of spiritual nourishment and spiritual health and a fortification against sins. If attending the programmes is not always possible, the same can be audio-streamed, downloaded, etc. The books of our ‘Ulama and Mashaa’ikh are also available whereby we can take benefit and inspiration.

Alhamdulillah, the work of Tabligh, the effort of the Khanqahs, the effort to acquire the knowledge of Deen, the undertakings made to assist the poor, needy and others, etc. have been a means of great goodness and productivity for many – who then channel their energies and time in serving Deen, going out in the path of Allah Ta’ala, benefitting others, becoming involved in relief work – within the parameters of Deen, and fulfilling the true objective of this worldly life.

In fact, the effort of Islaah (reformation) should keep us well-occupied. Hazrat Sufyaan Thauri رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْهِ had said: “Rectifying yourself is an endeavour that should keep you very busy.”

Islam is not only about sitting on the Musallah the entire day and night, or just attending programmes all the time. There is a perfectly healthy balance that Deen offers us. Since Allah Ta’ala knows all our needs, He has presented us with the Sunnah, which is fully wholesome and practical, and which preserves the heart, soul, mind and body. We find beautiful guidance in every aspect of life. Since we deprive the nafs of Haraam, we do not have to deprive it of Halaal.

Together with making the effort in good deeds, serving the creation and also seeking to serve this beautiful Deen, we are allowed some recreation and leisurely activities – which will benefit us physically. In fact, if the right intentions are made, these activities will become greatly rewarding.

We are directed towards activities such as swimming, archery and horse-riding. Rasulullah ﷺ said: “Any action without the remembrance of Allah is either a diversion or heedlessness excepting four acts: Walking from target to target (during archery practice), training a horse, playing with one's family, and learning to swim.” [1]

Hazrat ‘Umar رَضِىَ الله عَنْهُ had also advised: “Teach your children swimming, archery and horse riding.”

Of course, this should not be taken out of context or used to justify Haraam. The Ahadīth encourage these activities, but within the limits and boundaries of Deen and Shari’ah. There is no allowance for immodest dressing, intermingling with the opposite gender or attending sports matches at stadiums where there will be indulgence in all kinds of Haraam. This is obviously not permissible – and for good reason:  To protect us from sins.

We should similarly abstain from useless and futile pursuits. Hazrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْهِ had said that if a person reflects on his futile acts and statements, he will most assuredly discover that they ultimately lead to sin because there is no futile and nonsensical act whose boundary is not adjoining the boundary of sin.

May Allah Ta’ala grant us the Taufeeq of practising on Deen correctly, of keeping occupied in good deeds, and seeking Allah Ta’ala’s Pleasure at all times.

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[1] Tabarani

Islaahi Correspondence | Letter Seventeen | Mawaa'iz

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

LETTER SEVENTEEN

Reading Mawaa`iz

Question

My very beloved Hazrat Maulana,

As-Salaamu alaykum wa-Rahmatullahi wa-Barakaatuhu

Hope Hazrat is keeping well, Insha-Allah.

Alhamdulillah although Hazrat did not reply in writing to my query about not completing the prescribed Zikr, I firmly believe that Hazrat must have made Dua for me. Alhamdulillah, I am experiencing the effects of those Duas since the time I sent the previous letter and even before Hazrat’s reply. Alhamdulillah, I am completing my Zikr or at least most of it.

Hazrat Mufti Saheb has advised me to read the Mawaa`iz of Hazrat Hakeemul Ummah (Rahimahullah). Alhamdulillah, I am really enjoying it. However, when I come across a unique and interesting incident or explanation, the first thought that comes to my mind is that I must remember this so that I may relate it to my students or relate it in a bayaan. Is this contrary to Ikhlaas? I get the feeling that ideally one should remember such things for the purpose of one’s own practice.

Reply

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

Wa-alaykumus Salaam wa-Rahmatullahi wa-Barakaatuhu

1.)    Alhamdulillah, I am well. Making lots of Dua for your progress.

2.)    Masha-Allah, pleased to read that you are steadfast on Zikr.

3.)    Hazrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْهِ)’s Mawaa`iz are a must for our 'Ulama. If you come across such incidents or explanations, the first Niyyah (intention) should be Amal, then sharing it with others, for the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala.

4.)    Convey my Salaams to the family, with request for Duas.

Was-Salaamu alaykum wa-Rahmatullahi wa-Barakaatuhu

Yunus Patel (Maulana)

A Muslim’s Ambition

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

By Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel (Rahmatullahi ‘Alayh)

AFTER BIRDS ARE HATCHED, they raise their heads up – often with their beaks wide open, waiting for their food. As nestlings and fledglings, their gazes are constantly upward. From another angle, their Taqdeer (destiny) is to fly. They were born to fly. So very possibly their gazes are also towards the sky anticipating that they will soon fly high.

When these fledglings have their new feathers, they emerge from their nest so that they can learn to fly. For some, their parents or the other adult birds give them flying lessons, teaching them how to glide in the air, how to land, etc.  سُبْحَانَ الله We see Allah Ta’ala’s Qudrat in all of His creation.

On the other hand, we find that animals such as cows, donkeys, mules, horses, zebras and others are created in such a way that they pass most of their lives with their gazes downward, towards the earth. This is their Taqdeer – to remain on the earth; to graze off the earth. They will not be flying.

The Muslim who is desirous of gaining the closeness of Allah Ta’ala and His Rasul ﷺ has the gaze of his heart upward, towards the heavens. His thoughts and his aspiration are: I want to reach Allah Ta’ala. I want to reach Jannah.

So his efforts are channeled in the direction of Allah Ta’ala’s obedience, nurturing Allah Ta’ala’s Love in his heart and following the beautiful Sunnah of Rasulullah  ﷺ. With the guidance and direction of a Shaykh-e-Kaamil, he learns to fly spiritually. With the wings of Taqwa, he takes flight from any venue of sin, flying far away from everything displeasing to his Beloved Allah Ta’ala! By so doing, he gains Allah Ta’ala’s Qurb (nearness) and Allah Ta’ala’s Pleasure.

As for the one who is only absorbed and infatuated with this material world, his or her gaze and attention is constantly directed downward, towards the commodities of this world – on clothes, shoes, jewellery, cellphones, cars, palatial homes and other material items. All of which have their origin in sand and all of which will return to sand. Nothing of Dunya is made to last.

Hazrat Maulana Jalaluddeen Rumi رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْهِ had explained: “Your hearts are attached to the things of the world, which have their origin in sand. The women of the world are created from sand, the homes are of sand and the food is of sand. Everything is of sand. They only appear in different forms and colours. The end result is also sand.”

Anyone who gives his or her heart to this world fills the heart with the ‘sand’ of this world. Sand upon sand! Life is wasted on sand. The mind becomes clouded and blinded by the sand of Dunya and forgetful of the objective of living in this world.

A person who is deceived by the outward glitter and glamour passes through life ‘grazing’ upon the things of Dunya, depriving himself or herself of the wonderful enjoyment of flying high in the obedience of Allah Ta’ala and striving to earn His Pleasure and Jannah. 

We should understand that “Dunya” is that which makes a person forget Allah Ta’ala – the Giver of all the unlimited bounties and gifts that we are blessed with. The love of the world (Hubbud-Dunya) makes a person neglect and even reject the Commandments of Allah Ta’ala; makes a person distance himself from his Creator and paves the path to Jahannum. This worldly life was for us to accumulate the provisions for the Hereafter. The worldly life was not to amass the commodities of Dunya and not for us to give our hearts and souls to it.

If the heart turns to Allah Ta’ala, we will find that what is with Allah Ta’ala is best and everlasting!

فَمَآ أُوْتِيْتُمْ مِّنْ شَيْءٍ فَمَتَاعُ الْحَيٰوةِ الدُّنْيَا ^ج وَمَا عِنْدَ اللهِ خَيْرٌ وَّ أَبْقٰى لِلَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا وَعَلٰى رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُوْنَ ۚ

“Whatever you have been given, is merely a provision for the transitory life of this world, and that which is with Allah is better as well as more lasting. That is for those who have believed and put their trust in their Lord.”

[Surah Ash-Shura  42:36]

بَلْ تُؤْثِرُوْنَ الْحَيٰوةَ الدُّنْيَا ۖ وَالْاٰخِرَةُ خَيْرٌ وَّأَبْقٰى ◌

 “You prefer the worldly life (to the Hereafter), whereas the hereafter is best and ever-lasting.”

[Surah al-A'la : 16-17]

The bird eats and drinks and with the strength that is gained, it flies high. Similarly, the Muslim who wants to fly, who wants to soar spiritually, eats and drinks and makes use of the material things of this world so that he may fly. He lives in this world and utilizes the worldly means. However, despite his apparent association with the earth, he keeps in mind that he is created for the Aakhirah – which is superior. He understands that this world is not home. Home is Jannah - Insha-Allah.

Rasulullah ﷺ said: ‘Verily, the world has been created for you and you have been created for the Hereafter.^[1]

From amongst the diversity of birds, let us be like the falcon which flies high and flies at great speed. And if we become the royal falcon, we will find a place in the court of the King of kings – Allah Ta’ala. Let us not be like the vulture that scavenges and feasts off carcasses. …And, indeed, the world is even more insignificant to Allah Ta’ala than a carcass is to us.

It has been related that once Rasulullah ﷺ passed by the market place and came across a dead kid goat (i.e. a baby goat) which had very short ears. Rasulullah ﷺ held it by its ears and said: "Who amongst you would like to have this for a Dirham^[2]?" 

The Sahabah رَضِىَ الله عَنْهُمْ said: “We would not want it even for less than that! What can we do with it?”

He ﷺ said: "Do you wish to have it for any price?" 

They said: “By Allah, even if it were alive it, we would not want it, as it has very short ears, let alone now when it is also dead!”

Rasulullah ﷺ said: "By Allah, this world is more insignificant to Allah than this (dead goat) is to you."^[3]

In another Hadīth, Rasulullah ﷺ said: “If this world was worth the wing of a mosquito in the sight of Allah, He would not have given a disbeliever a single sip of water.”^[4]

May Allah Ta’ala grant us the reality and insignificance of this worldly life, remove the love of Dunya from our hearts, and fill our hearts with His Pure Love.

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[1] Shu’abul Imaan 10581

[2] Dirham : Silver coin

[3] Sahih Muslim

[4] Tirmidhi